Agenda for Day 2 – Wednesday December 9th, 2026Wednesday, 9 December 2026 - ET (Eastern Time, GMT-05:00)

This session is designed for attendees who are new to their role, new to the industry or new to their company and looking for a foundational course on the foundational knowledge needed for success.

• Understand of trade and channel management for market access and product distribution

• Delve into the governing regulatory landscape other relevant regulations

• Learn and discuss about building and maintaining effective partnerships with internal and external channel stakeholders

• Engage and network with colleagues also new to trade and learn from specific case examples of what has worked and what hasn’t

• Compare full-line wholesale (FLW), specialty distribution, and direct-to-patient models to understand how distribution service agreements (DSAs) are evolving under growing market pressure
• Examine the shifting role of wholesalers, specialty distributors, and 3PL/4PL providers and what this means for future channel design
• Assess when traditional models still make sense and when emerging alternatives are worth pursuing

• Examine how evolving tariff policy is driving cost pressure and disruption across supply chains and what this means for sourcing and manufacturing
• Identify how manufacturers are redesigning their supply chain networks and sourcing strategies to reduce dependency and better prepare for potential future disruptions
• Equip your organization with practical approaches to scenario planning and business continuity when trade policy shifts faster than supply chain can react and adapt

• Understand how health systems are expanding their role across specialty pharmacy, distribution, and patient access
• Examine how integrated delivery networks are influencing channel strategy and product access decisions
• Explore new partnership models including cost-plus pricing, direct-to-employer, and direct-to-patient approaches and how they impact pharma-health system collaboration

• Assess the downstream impact of Medicare drug price negotiation on formulary strategy, reimbursement, and manufacturer-health system relationships
• Understand how health systems are operationally adjusting to policy changes around drug pricing, coverage, and access
• Gain practical approaches for anticipating policy shifts and protecting patient access and commercial strategy when the regulatory environment keeps changing

In this advanced session, connect with fellow trade, channel and distribution experts, to share experiences and benchmark on common challenges. Take part in this critical, interactive knowledge exchange in an open, collaborative format.

**This summit is an exclusive, senior-level benchmarking discussion. Attendees should have a minimum of 7 years’ experience in trade and channel strategies and must currently be employed as life science manufacturer. Informa Connect reserves the right to qualify participants for this Summit. during this time. Please email Alexandra.spica@informa.com to reserve your seat.

• Discover how organizations are shifting from just-in-time to more resilient supply chain models in response to any disruptions
• Understand key risk areas including global sourcing challenges, tariffs, regulatory requirements such as DSCSA, and product shortages
• Prepare for major operational changes such as NDC-12 implementation and identify practical approaches to improve visibility, coordination, and compliance across the supply chain

• Explore practical AI use cases across supply chain operations, including demand planning, rebate processing, financial verification, and patient support programs

• Assess how organizations are moving from early pilots to scaled implementation

• Investigate emerging applications of AI in contract negotiations and scenario planning and the opportunities this presents for commercial teams

• Examine the ongoing tension between manufacturers and covered entities around contract pharmacy restriction, fraud and abuse concerns, and claims data requirements
• Understand the latest developments around rebate models versus upfront discounts and what this potential structural shift means for manufacturers and health systems
• Identify how manufacturers and health systems can protect patient access and operational stability amid continuing legal and regulatory uncertainty

• Explore how health systems and manufacturers are leveraging telemedicine and digital tools to extend specialty drug access to rural and underserved populations

• Examine how limited distribution networks and specialty pharmacy impact access across various geographies

• Identify practical strategies for building channel and partnership models that prioritize reach and health equity as core commercial considerations

• Understand how manufacturers determine limited distribution drug (LDD) strategy, including how specialty pharmacies are selected based on clinical expertise, patient support capabilities, and operational readiness
• Examine the contracting dynamics between manufacturers and specialty pharmacies within LDD networks and what health systems need to know to gain and maintain access to these drugs
• Identify how limited distribution models impact patient access across different geographies and therapeutic areas, and what manufacturers and health systems can do to close those gaps

• Understand the operational requirements and compliance expectations for managing temperature-sensitive products across the full distribution network
• Examine how advances in cold chain technology and real-time monitoring are improving visibility and preventing temperature failures across the supply chain
• Explore best practices for coordinating cold chain logistics across manufacturers, 3PL partners, and specialty pharmacies to ensure product integrity from source to patient

• Examine the gap between launch planning and real-world clinical execution, including clinician readiness, drug usability, and implementation

• Understand the importance of aligning supply chain and clinical teams from day one to ensure drugs are not just available but accessible at the point of care

• Learn from real-world examples of how manufacturers have successfully closed the execution gap and what best practices look like across different therapeutic areas

Healthcare systems worldwide are undergoing unprecedented transformation. As patient needs grow more complex and stakeholder expectations rise, health systems must evolve beyond traditional models. This session brings together industry leaders to discuss the continued evolution of healthcare delivery models, address persistent coordination challenges, and explore strategies for standardizing care without sacrificing personalization. Attendees will gain actionable insights into building resilient, patient-centered systems that deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes.

This empowering and interactive session brings together women leaders and professionals in the trade industry to share experiences, build meaningful connections and explore strategies for advancing careers in traditionally male-dominated sectors. Participants engage with real-world business scenarios, hear inspirational journeys from trailblazers and develop actionable strategies for professional growth.

• Connect with women leaders and peers across the trade industry through structured networking activities designed to foster meaningful relationships, create mentorship opportunities and establish a supportive community that extends beyond the session

• Gain practical insights into professional development pathways, leadership opportunities and strategies for overcoming barriers in male-dominated trade sectors, informed by real experiences from women who have successfully charted diverse career trajectories

• Learn actionable approaches for building inclusive teams, championing diversity in organizations, addressing workplace challenges and creating environments where all professionals can thrive, with tools you can immediately apply in your organization